The trail twisted and turned through a dense forest, where the moonlight fought to break through the thick canopy overhead. K walked with determination, his scout's sword hanging at his side. After making good progress five miles out from the city, he felt invigorated, a surge of energy surging through him. The air in the forest was filled with the rich smell of damp soil and pine, a revitalizing aroma that felt like a breath of fresh air, reminding him of times long past.
K halted for a moment, examining his hands. He had successfully manipulated the momentum of other objects and people before, but what about his own?
Without thinking, he slipped into a fighting stance he hadn't realized he knew, his muscles moving in a way that felt both unfamiliar and instinctive. He centered himself, honing in on the cool thread of sensation in his gut that connected him to the very physics of the world around him.
With a snap of his fingers, he activated his "Domain."
Suddenly, the space around him transformed, creating a sphere of influence extending ten meters in all directions. He shifted his focus inward, tuning into the rhythm of his blood and the balance of his limbs.
He took a step.
Everything around him became a blur.
In an instant, he had covered twenty feet, stopping effortlessly against a tree trunk. There was no stumble or loss of balance—just a swift, controlled maneuver.
A grin spread across his face. Eager to try again, he concentrated on throwing a punch. He envisioned the force of a cannonball packed into his knuckles as he channeled the momentum.
The air crackled as his fist propelled forward, stopping just an inch from the tree. Although the punch never landed, the tree trembled violently, splinters flying from where his fist nearly impacted.
"Interesting," he said to himself, letting the Domain fade away.
Suddenly, the rustling of leaves brought him back to the present. Four figures appeared on the forest path—city guards, their armor glinting in the moonlight. The lead guard aimed a crossbow, the bolt readied for firing.
"There he is," the guard shouted, lifting his weapon. "The runaway seed-bearer."
K instinctively reached for his sword but hesitated. He wanted to push his limits, to truly test his abilities.
"Drop your weapon," another guard demanded, stepping forward with a spear. "You're coming back with us, one way or another."
"Just look at him," a third guard scoffed. "He's just a kid. He probably doesn't even know how to wield that sword."
Meanwhile, the fourth guard circled to flank K. "The master wants him alive, but he didn't specify we had to be gentle."
K's lips curled into a slow, confident smile. "I don't think so."
Snap. "Domain."
The guards froze as the environment shifted, though they were oblivious to the change. They could only perceive a strange heaviness in the air—as if the atmosphere had thickened around them.
"What the hell is that?" the crossbowman muttered, lowering his weapon slightly.
"Quit talking and keep him covered," the spear-wielder snapped back.
And then K made his move.
Instead of rushing at them, he simply willed himself to be where he wanted to be, disappearing from his spot and reappearing behind the crossbowman. The guard turned, eyes wide with disbelief.
"How—?"
K didn't respond. He tapped the guard's shoulder, and the man collapsed as though struck by a sledgehammer, the force of K's touch sending him crashing to the ground.
"Magic!" one of the remaining guards yelled, raising his sword in alarm. "He's using some kind of magic!"
"It's not magic," the spear-wielder stammered, fear shaking his voice. "That's a Seed. One of those Essence types."
The last two guards exchanged anxious glances before charging at K together.
With an almost otherworldly speed, he dodged the spear aimed at him, the weapon moving as if it were trapped in slow motion. He concentrated his energy in his palm and struck the second guard hard in the chest.
The impact was both silent and devastating. The guard flew backward, crashing through the underbrush with a strangled gasp.
The two remaining guards hesitated, their faces showing that they were up against something far beyond an ordinary opponent.
"What are you?" one of them muttered, his spear shaking in his grip.
K didn't reply. He approached them steadily, his Domain still active. He was in the midst of testing his limits, pushing himself to see how far he could go.
The last guard lunged with his spear, but K effortlessly caught it between two fingers, stopping its advance instantly. The guard's eyes widened in shock as he tried to pull back, only to discover that the spear was held fast.
"That's impossible," the guard gasped.
With a quick twist of his wrist, K redirected the spear's force. The guard spun around, his own weapon used against him, and collapsed to the ground.
The final guard dropped his weapon and turned to run.
K released him, understanding that he had discovered the answers he was looking for. The Seed was more than just a tool for moving objects; it gave him the power to change the very physics of his own body. His speed, strength, and reaction time all became adaptable within his Domain.
As he released the field, the surroundings returned to normal. The three unconscious guards groaned on the forest floor.
A memory flashed through his mind, the man observing a sparrow taking flight. "It's all about efficiency," he used to say. "Always use just the right amount of effort. Don't waste any movements."
K nodded to himself, reflecting on his past mistakes. He had been rough around the edges and somewhat reckless, but he was beginning to learn.
He picked up the scout's sword and pressed on, leaving the guards behind. The forest seemed to quiet down, almost as if it acknowledged the new predator moving stealthily through its trees.
He sensed the immense potential of the Seed, a limitless ocean of possibilities that he was just beginning to explore. The ability to move at lightning speed, wield incredible power, and shift positions in an instant, everything felt accessible as he refined his newly discovered power.
The path ahead faded into darkness, but K felt no fear. This was just the beginning.